A team of lecturers from the Padjadjaran University Graduate School and students from the Environmental Science Doctoral Program have made a significant scientific contribution through the publication of a review article entitled “Towards Blue Skies: A Comprehensive Review and Regional Mapping of Ambient Air Quality in Indonesian Cities,” published in the internationally renowned Journal of Environmental Management (Elsevier). This study systematically maps the conditions and dynamics of ambient air quality in major Indonesian cities, such as Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, and Semarang, based on a review of 74 scientific articles published between 2014 and 2024.

The study’s results indicate that transportation, industrial activity, and forest fires are the main contributors to air pollution in urban areas. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted air quality, marked by a decrease in PM2.5 and NOx levels due to reduced human activity. However, after economic recovery, pollution levels increased again, underscoring the importance of sustainable regulation. Jakarta, the capital city, exhibited striking changes in air quality and serves as an important case study in the effectiveness of emission reduction strategies.

This research recommends continuous air quality monitoring, strengthening pollution control policies, and sustainable urban planning as mitigation measures relevant to the dynamics of rapid urbanization in Indonesia.

Contribution to the SDGs:
This study directly supports the achievement of SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, particularly in reducing air pollution-related diseases. Furthermore, this research supports SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities through policy proposals and urban planning based on environmental data. This study also contributes to SDG 13: Climate Action, by highlighting the relationship between human activities, the climate crisis, and air quality dynamics in urban areas.